Randy Newman's Songbook Vol. 2, in which the singer/songwriter/pianist revisits both classic and more recent work in new solo takes on 16 of his celebrated songs, is due out next week on Nonesuch. Newman stopped by the BBC Radio 4 studios as today's guest on the latest episode of Front Row, the station's show on books, film, music, performances, visual art, and media. "In a nod to Cole Porter, who he's sometimes compared to," says presenter Kirsty Lang, "the record is stripped back so it's just Randy Newman sitting at a piano." In that spirit, Newman sat at the piano for the show, offering the occasional musical demonstration as he discussed the new album, his early career, and his more recent, acclaimed work writing music for the Toy Story trilogy. You can listen to today's Front Row episode online at bbc.co.uk.

---

The Daily Telegraph has named Songbook Vol. 2 its CD of the Week and gives it a perfect five stars. "Randy Newman, one of the world’s greatest songwriters, has followed up his 2003 album Songbook," writes reviewer Martin Chilton, "with a new selection from the treasure chest."

Newman "is singing and playing as well as ever," says Chilton. "Known for the clever orchestral arrangements on his album work, the stripped-down feel of the Songbook series allows the sharp craftsmanship of Newman’s playful writing to shine through."

Songbook Vol. 2, Chilton concludes, "is an invigorating celebration of the joys of great songwriting and proof of the power of one man and his piano."

Read the complete review at telegraph.co.uk.

---

To reserve a copy of Songbook Vol. 2, head to the Nonesuch Store, where pre-orders include a limited-edition poster featuring the original cover art from the debut album, a number of which will be signed by Newman, and all orders include high-quality, 320 kbps MP3s of the complete album starting release day.